"Sir, the...the translation has come through, sir."
Something in the way he spoke was off. Anticipation turned to panic in the High Commander as she turned from her screen. All she said, though, was "Don't call me sir."
"Oh, of course, Si - Madam. I forget.
"But, the records appear to be the last left by these creatures." These creatures - these bizarre lifeforms they'd found. Deathless, mindless, peaceful. Their only imperfection - the way their utter perfection deeply disturbed everyone on the project. "They...they turned themself into this, Sir."
Even the computers silenced, letting this idea sink in. Panic turned to fear in the eyes of Commander and Subordinate.
"That can't be right."
"Their language is - was - very simplistic. The chance of error is -"
"It cannot be right!" She leapt to her feet, scattering papers. He dropped his in shock. "Why would they? What possible reason would they have?!"
"'It is both our punishment, and our reward.' ...That's what they wrote."
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